Have you gathered some artisan cheeses and while grabbing your cheese knives, you found out that you have no idea how you will cut each different-shaped cheese based on different textures & shapes? or have you ever seen a TV commercial and thought to yourself how to cut cheese in this perfect way?
Well, we are here to answer this! This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to cut, shape and slice cheese like a pro.
Here are the cutting methods according to how your creamy block looks and its geometrical shape. So if you love geometry, you will definitely enjoy our handy tutorial.
How to Cut Wheels and Rounds Cheese?
Some examples of cheese wheels: Fourme d’Ambert and Camembert.
Most blocks of cheese on the market come in this shape. Actually, circular cheeses are the easiest to cut.
Cutting soft creamy cheese wheels is literally like cutting a piece of cake or pie. you start in the middle of it and keep cutting outwards to create even-sized wedges.
In other words, you start by slicing a round in half and going on with a half-moon piece to make sure you get even slices. then you will have wedge triangles according to your personal preference. And you can slice these wedge triangles into thinner wedges.
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How to Cut Cheese Logs?
Examples of log cylinders: Sainte-maure de Touraine and Chèvre.
Soft logs of cheese such as Chevre, do not have to be cut, Because this type of cheese is so soft and spreadable, so it is better to serve them whole with a soft cheese knife or cheese slicer and let your guests cut their own pieces.
However, if you want to pre-portion, cut each log into several coin-shaped pieces.
For this delicate task, use a soft cheese knife with a thin blade or a cheese wire. They’ll protect the log-shaped cheese from becoming crumbly and oddly shaped as it sticks to the knife blade.
If you don’t have one of these specialized knives, here’s a tip: you can slice very soft cheeses like this with unflavored, unwaxed dental floss.
Simply place the cheese on the surface of the floss where you want to cut it, then draw both ends of the floss together in one quick, definite move.
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How to Cut Pyramid-Shaped Cheeses?
Examples of triangle-shaped blocks: Capriole Pipers Pyramid, Valençay, Pouligny-Saint-Pierre, Cerney)
These unusually shaped cheeses may appear intimidating to cut, but they are actually quite easy to work with.
To prevent the soft, delicate cheese from sticking to the blade, you will need to use a sharp, thin-bladed cheese knife or skeleton knife.
The first step is to cut the big triangular wedge shape into even triangular slices from the top down. And then lay each triangular-shaped rind flat on a cutting board and slice through the rind into quarter-inch thick slices.
This way provides that each piece has a uniform look and a relatively even.
Also read: Best Cheese Knives Set Review
How to Cut Wedges of Cheese?
Examples of cheese wedges: Sriracha Gouda
Cutting larger wheels of cheese that have been portioned into wedges is fairly simple.
The skinny end of the wedge-shaped cheese comes from the center point of the cheese, and the wide end contains the rind, so each piece has a fine cross-section.
To portion cheeses like Green Dirt’s Prairie Tomme or these aged goat’s milk wheels from Boston Post Dairy, you will need to use a good harder cheeses knife, such as a skeleton knife, a sharp paring knife, or a utility knife.
Place the tall wedge on one of its cut sides and trim off the top and bottom rinds. And then slice through the wedge to make even, triangular slices with the rind on one end.
If you are slicing very firm aged cheeses, it is recommended to skip the slices and serve the entire cheese wedges for your guests to portion themselves, using a sharp Parmesan knife.
You can also place the pie-like wedges on a board, then chunk the paste, leaving the rind intact to “shape” the pieces of cheese.
How to Cut Hard and Semi-Hard Rectangles?
Examples of rectangular cheese: Gruyere, Parmesan, cheddar, Fontina, Double Gloucester, and Gouda.
When cutting rectangular blocks, you better have thin slices, not cubes.
Before you start slicing you need to make sure that your knife is very sharp to give you the perfect slices.
First, cut the edge of your block without the rind; keep cutting horizontally to get matchsticks. And before reaching the edge of the cheese, flip it around and start cutting vertically from the rind to get even-sized slices.
And voila! Your yummy pieces are ready to be served.
How to Cut Blocks of Aged Cheese?
It is so alluring to slice a simple block of cheese into deli tray-sized cheese cube. However, this is not the best method for cutting cheese.
You actually need to expand the surface area of each piece of cheese you eat to get the most taste and texture out of it.
Thinner, wider slices are ideal for this. Cubes, on the other side, reduce the amount of surface area that our tongues come into contact with when we first get a piece of rind into our mouths.
Fortunately, breaking down blocks of cheese is simple with a chef’s or skeleton knife.
All you need to do is simply cut the cheese block into eighth-inch-thick pieces, then into smaller rectangular pieces as needed. You can also make triangular slices by cutting rectangular slices diagonally in half.
Smooth pieces are already out of the question for harder cheeses and dry cheeses that come in blocks. In that case, prior to actually serving, use a Parmesan knife or a narrow plane knife to break the cheese into picturesque chunks.
How to Cut Veined Cheese?
Gently cut this type of cheese into points from the bottom center of the thin edge.
How to Cut Crumbly Cheese?
Examples of crumbly cheese: Ricotta Salata and Caerphilly.
Whether your block is soft cheese or hard such as cheddars, Aged Gouda, or any kind of crumbly block you can never have a clean even-sized piece of it. It looks like they are just made to crumble!
First, you need to wash your hands or wear gloves, and then start to chunk off small pieces by breaking the block into uneven chunks and crumbles.
Tip: You can use a wire cheese slicer or dental floss to slice crumbly cheese.
More cheesy tips
- Check out the date and texture of the block or whichever the product is before buying it from the cheese shop, to make sure that it is fresh cheese.
- After picking up a good cheese slicer or cheese cutter, it is so important to cut the block right before serving.
- It is more important to slice and serve the yummy cream cheese pieces at room temperature.
- It is recommended to prepare your cheese platter or charcuterie board in advance. to protect your pieces from drying or sweating out their natural fats, try to cover the cheese plate with a damp cloth.
- After cutting softer cheese, place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- If you are cutting or slicing with a grater, you can apply the non-stick spray, it will really help.
- Remember that cutting the tasty block in a good way is not just some kind of formal protocol. it really gives an overall sensory experience. So you should use the cheese grater before cutting your clean slice to avoid sticking.
- We recommend you always have your cheese knife collection clean, sharpened, and ready to use.
- Polish your olivewood and white marble serving board regularly.
- You can rub some drops of olive oil on the surface of the board to prevent the soft pieces from sticking to it.
- Don’t put your serving board in the dishwasher.
FAQs about How to Cut Cheese Like a Pro?
What are the main types of cheese?
1. Hard cheese: Such as Parmesan, Manchego, and Pecorino.
2. Semi-hard cheese: Such as Cheddar, Havarti, and Gouta.
3. Blue cheese : Such as: Gorgonzola, Roquefort and stilton.
4. White mold: Such as Brie and Camembert.
5. Fresh cheese: Such as Mozzarella and Feta.
6. Goat cheese: Such as Blue one and Goat brie.
What are the best knives for cutting cheese?
1. Pronged Knife
The pronged knife goes with almost everything. It is such an important tool for any kitchen and any turophile, of course!
It is excellent for cutting semi-soft cheeses and soft creamy pieces like brie, and it can also be used for cutting firmer cheeses.
2. The spreader
The name of the knife says it all. It is used to serve creamy, spreadable kinds easily.
3. Cheese plane
If you want a tool to help you peel off thin pieces of the creamy block, the plane is an excellent option for you.
This classic slicer is perfect for semi-soft and semi-firm cheeses, such as Swiss and Emmental.
4. Chisel Knife
This knife looks like a tiny paddle; it makes such a perfect tool for any serving tray. It will help you whenever you are serving chunks of hard and crumbly pieces.
5. Parmesan Knife
Not like its name, the parmesan knife is so helpful in cutting and slicing any kind of creamy product.
6. Cleaver
Cleaver is also known as “cheddar cleaver,”. are a tool with a wide blade and sharp edge used in creating decisive cuts.
It is used to cut and slice any kind of block, from semi-stiff to semi-soft ones such as Swiss and cheddar.
What do you use to cut hard cheese?
Always cut your hard cheese using a tear-shaped knife
It is easy-peasy, just slide the tip of the knife and then start to push down with extra pressure. Firm blocks such as Beaufort, Cantal, and Gruyere might crumble into larger chunks. Stay strong and don’t crumble with it, and keep trying.
How do you make cheese easier to cut?
For this delicate task, use a soft cheese knife with a thin blade or a cheese wire. They will stop misshaping and turning the cheese into chunks as it sticks to the knife blade.
If you don’t have one of these highly specialized knives, you can slice very soft cheeses like this with dental floss.
What knife is best for cutting cheese?
Parmesan Knife
This knife was originated in Italy and known as “tagliagrana.” It is also known as an almond knife or a spade knife.
Whatever you name it, this knife is the preferred tool for slicing semi-firm or soft wheel cheeses. Even the toughest cheeses are easily cut with their sharp tip.
Can you use a vegetable peeler to slice cheese?
Yes, you can.
You can use a vegetable peeler to slice a block of cheese, it can give you slim size wedges in a fraction of the time it takes you to use a knife.
But actually, investing in a cheese knife specifically can be really helpful, while traditional knives and veggie peelers will suffice, cheese knives remain ideal for maintaining each cheese’s natural rind structural consistency.
They come on in handy in the kitchen, especially for cheese lovers.
Final thoughts
Cutting cheese is not rocket science. all you need is a sharp knife or a cutting tool, a cutting board, and a yummy cheese block. Then you will be all set to serve your cheese board.
These were our different ways of cutting and slicing cheese easily. if you have more tips and tricks please tell us in the comments below! And Bon appetite!
